A BOOT signed by one of the world’s greatest footballers can be netted at a Teesside charity auction.

Marc Connell, of The Fairway, Saltburn, is holding a bumper auction of many great prizes tomorrow at Saltburn’s Spa Hotel.

But the star “lot” is a boot autographed by Barcelona and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.

Messi, 25, has already bagged 277 goals in a career, including 24 in just 19 games this season, so having one of his boots to auction is a real coup for the Saltburn event.

There is also a signed Barcelona football, inset, and many other great prizes in the live auction, including a signed Boro shirt.

Crohn’s disease sufferer Marc is currently battling to overcome the condition and become a firefighter.

He is organising the auction and raffle night in aid of the Cleveland Firefighters Charity.

Marc ran the Redcar half marathon for the charity this year, but didn't raise the amount he wanted, so that inspired him to Friday’s Hollywood awards-style event, which will feature food and music from the Ska Beats.

Unemployed Marc, 33, said: “I want to be in the fire brigade and have overcome various problems with my health to do this. Only in March, I lost four stones in around eight weeks due to being poorly. But I’m determined to reach my goal.”

But how did Marc get hold of the Messi boot? He said: “I wrote to Boro and other clubs and they very kindly sent some exciting prizes. But the Messi boot was donated by a company from down south.”

Also in the auction is a clapperboard from Stockton- born film and TV director Franc Roddam.

Franc, who directed the film Quadrophenia and came up with the idea for TV smash Auf Wiedersehen Pet, was good friends with Marc’s late dad, Mick Connell.

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing a wide variety of symptoms.

It is often associated with abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss, but may also cause skin rashes, arthritis, tiredness and lack of concentration.

Doors open at the event at 7pm. For tickets, at £15, call the Spa on 01287 622544 or Marc on 01287 203515.